Dinette height - 21 vs. 19

[Seamstress]

After seeing some pix recently of the new 21' Escape, I am wondering about the height of the dinette. When I visited Cpaharley (Jim) to see his 19' Escape, one thing I noticed is that I could barely see over the window sills when I sat at the dinette. Jim mentioned that the seats were actually 2" higher than normal but that still didn't help (I'm 5' 7", btw). I see the same problem in the pix that RickM posted here:

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f3...html#post29446

4th pic down, the seats are well below the windows.

But when I looked at pics of the 21 that keager posted here:

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f2...on-2532-2.html

2nd pic down, the lady appears to be able to easily see through the windows. At first, I thought she might be tall but then I noticed the difference in the top of the back cushion vs. the lower window ledge. It's much smaller in the 21 indicating also that either the seats or higher or the windows are lower.

Since this was one of my reservations about considering an Escape trailer as my choice, if the pix of the 21 do show the ability to see directly out the windows, then I would be much more favorable to this trailer. I think one of the joys of having a trailer is to be able to sit and eat, read or have conversations while looking out at some beautiful views. That is an important factor for me.

Can anyone who saw the 21' at the rally confirm this? Or could the 19' be adjusted somehow to get this level of viewing?

Thanks for any information you can give.

[ColoRockiesFan]

I am 5'4" and I can see out the windows just fine. But, I have a rear dinette with a raised floor and I did ask for the cushions to be raised by 2" as well.

[Donna D.]

I talked to Tammy about this issue. The reason the windows are higher in the front of the 19', is because of the bunk option. The dinette is in the rear of the 21' and won't have the bunk option. I'm also 5'7" and could see out of the rear windows just fine. And, I know what you mean about the 19' windows, the bottom of the window hits me at about nose level...

[cpaharley2008]

or, you can do what Colorado Rocky did and order the 19' with front bed and read dinette, a brilliant solution that if I had done, I may still have my 19' vs waiting for the new 21'......
here are her pictures http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f1...un-2445-3.html

[Jim Bennett]

We have no issue with the window height in the 19 like others, but we are so rarely sitting there during daylight hours, it really would not matter. There is lots of light let in, which is nice.

A front bed in the 19 just would not work for us, or most with two sleeping in it. Though possible, I would not want to sleep two wide in it very much. Kinda spoiled by the full queen bed.

[Scuba55]

Seems like a good solution to raise the dinette platform a few inches. Also, what size is the front bed, I didn't know that was a possible option?

Future Escape owner, model undecided at this time...

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Scuba55

Seems like a good solution to raise the dinette platform a few inches. Also, what size is the front bed, I didn't know that was a possible option?

Future Escape owner, model undecided at this time...

I imagine the width would be the same as the dinette, 44". Two can sleep there, but you wanna be cuddlers.

[Scuba55]

No, I am a all "over the place" sleeper, that would not work for us. -

[cpaharley2008]

According to their website, the front bed is 54 x 80 and the rear dinette is 49 x 86 in the 21' which is 6" smaller than the Escape 19 model ( 60 x 80) for the bed but the dinette is smaller in the 19' it is 44 x 80. To me, the 6" bed difference is not relevant as compared to the rear dinette location and it's larger size. We spend more time at the dinette than in the bed.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

We spend more time at the dinette than in the bed.

A good example of how we all differ in usage of our trailers.

We spend 5 to 7 hours (in my case) to 8 or 9 hours (for my wife) in the bed, and on most days do not even use the dinette other than a marshalling area. Some days when the weather outside is not so good, we will do breakfast inside, and the very rare occasion supper, for a total of 30-60 minutes. It likely gets used more into the evening if it is ugly outside and we can`t sit around the fire or at the picnic table, when we will come in and play cards. and by then you can`t see outside anyway.

Like some others, the vast majority of the time in the trailer is sleeping. I just love to be out of doors.

[Scuba55]

Jim, you and I are on the same page, the bed is most important, and our time will be spent mostly outside unless the weather is bad.

[dave1]

Maybe escape could simply install the windows a few inches lower.

Dave

[Scuba55]

Good thought, I think that's a possibility, if the window openings are not part of the mold?

[cpaharley2008]

Which they are....

[Jim Bennett]

Yes, there are flat spots moulded in to allow placement of the windows.

[Seamstress]

Oh, darn, I was thinking that maybe since I will not need the bunk bed option that I could get those windows lowered. Still, I am happy to hear that the rear dinette is the solution to my need to be able to see out the windows.

Rosemary

[Donna D.]

I'm an outdoor person too. I work in a windowless environment and crave fresh air and Vitamin D. So, when I'm camping I NEED to be outside. That said, the wet winter in the Pacific NorthWET keeps me home. I'm hoping my future trailer will allow me to go to the beach when it's pouring rain and wind is blowing sideways and I can sit at the dinette and watch the Pacific Ocean boiling. Winter storms at the beach are NEATO.

Guess I'm hoping to extend my camping trips into months I currently don't camp. Having great windows and a comfortable place to sit inside is one of the reasons I'm looking to change trailers.

[Scuba55]

I see no reason (up to Reace) why the dinette area can't be raised 2-4". I am 5"10, and based on the photos of the 19 dinette seating, I would want them higher.

[dbailey]

I'm also 5'10", and I haven't noticed any issue with the windows. But, like many here, I haven't actually spent a lot of time at the dinette. I'll go check...

[dbailey]

OK, I just went out and actually paid attention...

At 5'10", I find eye level to be about 1/3 up from the bottom of the window if I'm sitting with a straight back.

If I'm leaned over the table reading or some such, then I'd be happier with a slightly higher seat.

If I'm leaning against the bathroom wall with my feet up on the bench, then eye level is about at the bottom of the window.

So, a reasonable height first thing in the morning, but as the day wears me down I need to lower the windows .

I'll see what the wife thinks of the idea, but I may put adding a 3" riser to the benches on my project list. The bench might be too tall for her in that case, though. Raising the floor as well as the bench would work, but then it's be a tripping hazard.